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RACES IN THE HOUSE: While the battles for control of the White House and Senate have grabbed most headlines this election cycle, a host of House races may help create the blueprint for energy and environmental action during the next Congress.

Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committee members are mired in tight races, along with other lawmakers who have helped shape the debate for the past two years. Results to watch include several contests in California and elsewhere out west. Other House races may not be close but could create momentum for agendas during the next two years. Darius Dixon and Darren Goode — with help from a pineapple wearing sunglasses — break it down: http://politico.pro/U3Dtfi

SPEAKING OF THE HOUSE: Democrats have pretty much given up on taking back the chamber, Alex Isenstadt writes: http://politi.co/SGKPIE

AND IN THE SENATE: Republicans began this election cycle with about even odds of recapturing the Senate. They end it with about the same chances of adding just a single seat. David Catanese: http://politi.co/PQGqV8

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: Climate change became a hot topic after Sandy slammed into the East Coast last week, but the issue hasn’t made much traction among the presidential hopefuls in the final days of the 2012 campaigns. Bill Clinton last week (http://politi.co/T1VkEE) made hay of Mitt Romney’s Republican National Convention jab at President Barack Obama’s 2008 rhetoric on climate change, but the candidates themselves have largely steered clear of the issue since returning to the stump after Sandy. In recent days, Obama has stuck to his regular stump speech points on oil and natural gas production and support for clean energy, and Romney has remained true to his talk of approving the Keystone XL pipeline, cutting coal regulations and increasing drilling permitting on federal lands.

ROMNEY ON SEA LEVEL RISE: ‘I NEVER IMAGINED SUCH A THING IS FUNNY’: Romney on Friday said he doesn’t see the rising of the seas as funny in a video posted by Greenpeace’s Polluter Watch project from a campaign stop in Etna, Ohio. “Do you still think the rising of the seas is funny?” a woman on a ropeline asks, referring to Romney’s acceptance speech line that drew roughly 12 seconds of laughter at the RNC in Tampa.

Romney’s response: “I never imagined such a thing is funny. … As a matter of fact, if you'd like to — I know you're filming — if you'd like to see my view on global warming, I wrote a book, and there's a chapter on global warming and you'll see what I think we can do to deal with it.” Video: http://bit.ly/RCfK7s

NOR’EASTER UPDATE: From The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang: “There is now consensus among computer models that a strong fall Nor’easter will begin forming election night and then move up the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coast Wednesday and Thursday. … But from the North Carolina Outer Banks to the shores of New England, it’s becoming more certain that the storm will whip up high seas and gusty winds, leading to a new round of coastal flooding and beach erosion on the heels of Superstorm Sandy — though not as severe.” http://wapo.st/RzHprg

HAPPY ELECTION EVE and welcome to Morning Energy, where savvy commentators know that talking about the 2012 election is for amateurs and the 2016 election is for poseurs — 2020 is where it’s at. Send your prediction for who will take the White House in eight years — and also the energy news of today — to aguillen@politico.com, and follow on Twitter @alexcguillen, @POLITICOPro and @Morning_Energy.

EPA RUSHING TO FINALIZE NEW POWER PLANT RULE, REPORT SAYS: EPA has dedicated a remarkable 50 staff members to finalize the new greenhouse gas emissions rule for new power plants — the one critics say will stop all new coal plants from being built, Conn Carroll, a columnist at the conservative Washington Examiner, writes, citing “a source inside the EPA.” Carroll adds: “The rush is a major sign of panic by environmentalists inside the Obama administration. If Obama wins, the EPA would have another four full years to implement their anti-fossil fuel agenda. But if Romney wins, regulators will have a very narrow window to enact a select few costly regulations that would then be very hard for a President Romney to undo.” ME reached out to EPA for comment but didn’t hear back as of deadline. Washington Examiner: http://bit.ly/UtcURb

DOE SETS UP TEAM TO DEAL WITH GAS STATION LINES: With miles-long lines creeping toward gas stations in Sandy-hit areas still flooding news channels, the Energy Department has created a team “to assist local authorities in their efforts to get help get gas stations back online,” according to DOE. Gas station operators along the East Coast can call 1-866-402-3775 to report on their condition, and DOE will coordinate with FEMA on backup generators and fuel inventory. Info: http://1.usa.gov/SJiiR7

DHS EXPANDS JONES ACT WAIVER: The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, has expanded the Jones Act waiver it granted Friday, giving the green light to foreign-owned tankers to deliver fuel to Northeastern ports. Foreign tankers can now also carry “petroleum products or other feedstocks, blending components, and additives used to produce fuels” through Nov. 13.

SPEAKING OF WAIVERS: EPA has waived clean diesel fuel requirements in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, a move that will allow home heating oil to be used in vehicles and other equipment involved in disaster recovery.

** A message from America’s Natural Gas Alliance: Natural gas is creating jobs and adding tremendous value to state economies across the country. Curious what the role of this clean abundant resource is in your state? Visit our interactive map at http://bit.ly/QvCZMY. **

OUSTED DUKE ENERGY CHIEF TO HEAD TVA: The Charlotte Observer writes: “Bill Johnson, the former chief of Progress Energy who was ousted as CEO of Duke Energy in July, will head the Tennessee Valley Authority, one of the nation’s largest energy companies with a footprint in western North Carolina. It’s a dramatic turnaround for Johnson, 58, who was disgraced this summer by being fired by Duke almost immediately after the merger of Duke and Progress closed.” Observer: http://bit.ly/SMtfUz

FOSSIL FUEL DEBATE: In an event that probably wasn’t going to get much attention before Sandy but might get more now, environmentalist Bill McKibben will debate Center for Industrial Progress President Alex Epstein on whether fossil fuels harm or help the planet. McKibben’s position is no surprise. McKibben told ME that he’s “not much of a debater” but that he plans to use the figures from his Rolling Stone article from earlier this year (http://bit.ly/LuRoru) and plug his new “Do the Math” tour with 350.org.

As for Epstein: “What if I were to tell you that fossil fuels — coal, oil, natural gas — are actually good for our environment?” Epstein says in a video previewing the debate. “Did you know that the countries that use the least fossil fuels actually have the worst environments? Did you know that the countries that use the most fossil fuels actually have the best environments?” he voices over juxtaposed pictures of developing nations and families playing in a park. The debate livestreams from Duke University at 7 p.m. EST: http://bit.ly/R2K3pt

FROM THE FEC FILINGS: Candidates currently have 48 hours to report donations of $1,000 or above to the Federal Election Commission. Here are takeaways from this weekend’s filings.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

— Hoping to keep his job? Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman, the department’s second in command, gave Obama $2,500. Also: DOE adviser Hannah Irsfeld gave the president $1,270, and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis gave her boss’s campaign $2,000.

— Romney picked up a number of contributions from oil and gas executives. He reported getting at least $106,000 from 58 executives of firms including Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Continental Resources, Chesapeake Energy, Phillips 66 Co. and Whiting Petroleum Corp.

— Adam Wise, the manager of advocacy and outreach at the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, didn’t go into quite that much detail after his $1,000 contribution to Romney; he described his occupation as “political stuff.”

— Peter Saba, USEC’s general counsel, gave Romney $2,500.

— Meredith Broadbent, a Republican member of the U.S. International Trade Commission nominated to her post by Obama in 2011, gave Romney $1,000.

HOUSE CONTESTS

— Chesapeake Energy PAC was busy recently. Thirteen Energy and Commerce Committee members reported receiving a total of $48,500 from the firm’s PAC. Chesapeake PAC also gave to two E&C Dems — $2,500 to John Dingell of Michigan and $5,000 to Gene Green of Texas — but gave even more to Republicans looking to unseat Democrats: $5,000 to Abel Maldonado (taking on Lois Capps of California), $5,000 to Lee Anderson (opposing John Barrow of Georgia) and $2,500 to Mia Love (running against Jim Matheson of Utah).

CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS: For those of you who like a little star-studding with your coffee, quite a few celebrity checks were disclosed this weekend. Romney reported getting $2,500 from Kelsey Grammer, $2,500 from Bob Barker and $1,500 from John Elway. Obama, meanwhile, picked up $2,500 from Jake Gyllenhaal, $1,000 from Zach Galifianakis, $2,300 from Renee Zellweger, $2,000 from writer Anne Rice, $1,000 from “Kate & Allie” actress Susan Saint James, $2,500 from “The Simpsons” writer Ian Maxtone-Graham and $2,500 from Arlene Alda, wife of Alan Alda, who ME reported last week had given to Obama’s campaign.

DCCC FUNDRAISES OFF SHELL GIVING: Since Chevron made its $2.5 million contribution to the pro-House GOP Congressional Leadership Fund more than a week ago, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been fundraising heavily off the contribution. In an email Saturday, the DCCC boasted that it has raised $5 million from online supporters.

TOMORROW NIGHT: POLITICO LIVE's 2012 results special begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday on POLITICO.com & C-SPAN. With Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen and John Harris anchoring from POLITICO's Election Night watch party at the Newseum. Live reports from Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Martin in Boston, Glenn Thrush in Chicago, Lois Romano and Jonathan Allen on set, and continuous coverage from POLITICO headquarters, plus on-the-ground reporting from key Senate and House races, and special guests.

LCV HITS ROMNEY ON CLIMATE: The League of Conservation Voters is using its last ad buy of the election cycle to hit Romney for his climate change positions. “Americans always come together to take on our toughest challenges. And leaders lead,” the ad says, getting extra mileage out of photos of Obama touring Sandy damage. “It’s time to act on climate change.” The ad appears on nationwide cable channels. Watch: http://youtu.be/bjcQ01g2Y_E

SPOTTED: From the White House pool report as Obama campaigned in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., yesterday: “A huge sign showing POTUS bowing before an Arab leader, two gas pumps with $1.89 and $3.89/gal and the ‘Stop Obama’ slogan was seen on the road to the airport.”

SHE FEELS THE EARTH MOVE UNDER HER FEET: Carole King cited environmental concerns in a Saturday night plea for get-out-the-vote efforts from Obama supporters. “I've been fighting for the environment for more than 40 years, and I've never lived through an election so critical to its fate — not just for the next four years, but for the next 40,” she wrote. “We need four more years of a president who not only believes in climate change, but will fight to do something about it — not one who will just hand over the keys of the White House to Big Oil.” The email: http://politico.pro/YFZTbb

PICKENS TALKS UP ROMNEY IN PENNSYLVANIA PAPER: Oil magnate T. Boone Pickens has made no bones about his support for Romney, and he took to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about that support this weekend. “We've now seen both President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney step forward with energy plans. I've carefully reviewed them both, and ultimately, Mitt Romney's policies are better. He has proposed a detailed plan that will create jobs, make the country safer, and jump-start our economic recovery.” http://bit.ly/SJgpXj

FIRM SEEKS TO EXPORT LNG TO NON-FTA COUNTRIES: Gulf LNG Liquefaction Company, LLC has applied for a 20-year DOE permit to export up to 11.5 million tons per year of liquefied natural gas (or about 547.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year) to non-free trade agreement nations, DOE will disclose in today’s Federal Register. The company already got approval to export LNG from its Pascagoula, Miss., facility to nations the U.S. has a free trade agreement with. The FR notice: http://bit.ly/SLlFtx

QUICK HITS

— TransOcean lost $381 million in the third quarter, compared to a $32 million loss from the same period in 2011. Fuel Fix: http://bit.ly/Ss8qKJ

— Barclays will likely fight a record $470 million penalty from FERC “by arguing its traders were guilty of braggadocio, not of rigging California electricity prices,” Reuters writes: http://reut.rs/PQA48m

** A message from America's Natural Gas Alliance: We believe in a clean energy future. Natural gas is a cleaner energy choice and a key partner to solar and wind technologies. From California to Florida, natural gas facilities are working with renewable energy to ensure steady, affordable and cleaner energy choices for communities across our nation. Because it is an abundant and affordable energy source available right here in America, natural gas can help make the promise of cleaner energy a reality in more American communities. Natural gas is smarter power today. Visit anga.us to learn more. **